The Numbers Behind Rugby League’s First Ten Year x Ten Million Dollar Man: Jason Taumalolo

When Jason Taumololo signed a ten year deal estimated to be worth ten million dollars with the North Queensland Cowboys he became the first in the history of the National Rugby League to do that. There is a good reason for that.

With an average career span of just 43 games, this is not a game that favours longevity. The injury toll is immense, especially amongst forwards (as he is), and club's are savvy to baulk at longterm contracts. The chances are they'll only get three to four good years out of their star before his knees blow out, his brain gets injured, or his shoulder tendons are torn to bits.

At just 23 years of age, the 6'3, 113 kilogram wrecking ball, Taumololo, is at the top of the sport. He won the Dally M medal last year - the most prestigious award in the game - and a Premiership in 2015. But what do the other numbers say? Was it a good investment?

A look at the numbers suggests he's worth every penny right now. Five rounds into 2017 he's picked up where he left off in 2016 averaging an outrageous 247 meters gained with the ball each game - more than 50 meters ahead of his nearest rival, Manly fullback, Tom Trobjevic (Taumololo has missed two of the five games this season, however).

Meters gained is the main metric by which forwards in particular are judged and Taumalolo is easily the most damaging player in the league. He makes most of his meters by hurling his 113 kilogram frame into a defensive line stacked with similarly sized brutes or running holes off the wizardry of Jonathan Thurston. In 2016 he finished ahead another outside back to top the league in meters gained, Penrith Panthers and NSW winger, Josh Mansour.

In 2015 Taumololo was pivotal in what many have called the greatest grand final win of all-time. It was one of his trademark explosive charges that set up the match-saving try. His combination with the other JT, North Qld Cowboys, Queensland and Australian Test GOAT, Jonathan Thurston, meanwhile, is unparalleled.

"He's got the agility of a 90kg guy. His athleticism is just extraordinary," said rugby league immortal, Andrew Johns following Taumalolo's performance in the 2015 decider.

"The try to Michael Morgan in extra time … it was his run that set it up. And that hit up was faster than his first hit up.

"The engine of this guy is amazing. The speed, endurance, where he can sustain that speed for long periods, it's just extraordinary. An absolute freak of nature athlete," he said.

Born in New Zealand to Tongan parents, Taumololo was scouted as a 13 year old by the Cowboys and became their youngest ever to play first grade at 17 years old and 21 days.He had his faults early on, getting in brawls and playing up in school, before he had his head pulled in by trailblazing Polynesian Cowboys import, Wayne Ulugia, who was from Taumololo's hometown, Papakura, back in NZ.

"I was a bit of a troublemaker back in school, pretty much the class clown. I got into a bit of trouble out of school, lot of fights and that, but I moved here and I knew I had to change for the better. It was pretty strict living under Wayne's family…I didn't go out partying or anything like other kids would," he recalls of making the move to Townsville to live with his mentor, Ulugia.

He's matured significantly since his heady youth and aside from a bizarre egging spree on the eve of their biggest match last year, has a clean slate as far as indiscretions go.

On face value, the Cowboys investment looks safe. Taumololo is nothing short of indestructible when he's on the field. His physique is pure muscle and power combined with speed and acceleration. It's a potent mix that puts him in a league of his own.